Hyperthetical N/A engine ......... (Hyperthetical)....

[simonbuk]

This is hyperthetical......just curious....... haven't gone down the pub.......got time on my hands.....

I've read stories about how good the handling is of the N/A car 'even better', less weight, especially on the nose, etc, etc,....

So could an N/A engine be built to equal a turbo engine on power/torque ?

As the turbo car has a forged crank and pistons start with that short motor ?
Big valve head.
Custom exhaust manifold.
Throttle bodies ?
Emerald Programmable ECU .

I've bought a lottery ticket so no worries on the funding front !!

What's your preferred N/A screaming build ?!

[dapinky]

I'm not sure how much bigger you could take the valves, but the head could be ported to get best gas flow. Not sure which cams would be best to use (and probably 'best' would necessitate getting some custom ground instead of using the Lotus ones, or any of the Isuzu ones.

I'd probably think about going back to solid valve lifters with stronger springs to control the valves if the cams are a bit wild.

I don't know what sort of power you are looking for, but bear in mind that the NA uses a different final drive gear ratio to keep it's acceleration similar to the Turbo, but at the expense of higher revs at cruising speed..... so a gear change may or may not feature.

I actually think a 'straight' NA with the SE 'short' engine and a 75bhp nitrous blast would give you most of what you would ever need - using a turbo gearbox ratio for cruising. And it would be the cheapest way to get the extra overtaking/sprinting performance where you need it.

[Tuga2112]

i dont know enought on the topic to offer much help within the realm of the original isuzu engines.

but if i was determined to do something with that intent. I would look into swapping a more modern engine. we have 30+ years of technilogy advancements. it shouldnt be hard to find a modern engine with 180-200 bhp that is similar if not lighter than the NA engine.

im sure JAmie has already measured the engine bay in relation to a K20. but I would look at something smaller and even more modern before jumping into that.

[Saltire]

If I seriously wanted to do that (and I has a spare Elan to practice on), I’d be looking at something like a motorcycle engine à la Caterham or Fiat 126 Hayabusa, or alternatively (if performance is more important than range) converting to electric . . . .

[simonbuk]

Out of curiosity I did ponder about an electric conversion once and saw the from 'from 40/50K' or something similar. No lotto win last night so i'm out on that one.

Maybe one of these modern 3 cyl turbo engines like a Yaris GR - at least hopefully there might be some space to do the cambelt change